From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The bells echoed through the palace, each chime a stark reminder that this game was far from over.

Hidden in the shadows of the magnificent hall, the remaining followers of Prime Minister Wei huddled together like rats, their whispers filled with malice.

Their eyes gleamed with malice as they fixed their gazes on Yan Ruyu, scheming and plotting.

A man stroked a wisp of his beard, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

Another person cracked their knuckles, the sound echoing ominously in the silent corridor.

“That little girl thinks she’s won,” one of them hissed. “We’ll show her what happens when you go against us.”

Despite being surrounded by a celebratory atmosphere, Yan Ruyu felt a sense of unease, a dangerous sixth sense quietly whispering in her heart.

Her smile was still there, but it had gained a sharp edge, and her eyes held a steely coldness.

An unspoken tension permeated the air; the opulent setting felt like a gilded cage.

The scent of jasmine and sandalwood, which is usually so calming, now seems cloyingly sweet and full of deceptive stench.

The next day, these whispers turned into open attacks.

In the imperial court, Prime Minister Wei's henchmen, with their undue arrogance and haughtiness, swaggered around like peacocks, their words filled with false concern.

"Prime Minister Wei's sudden downfall...isn't that...suspicious? Perhaps someone is using this opportunity to seek personal gain?" a man said with a sneer, deliberately staring at Lord Yang.

Another fat man in a sweat-soaked robe chimed in, “Indeed! And this… dependence on a young woman… is it wise? Experience matters, doesn’t it?” Their words were like poisoned darts, designed to sow seeds of doubt and denigrate others.

Yan Ruyu and Lord Yang remained expressionless; amidst this storm, their faces were like calm masks.

But the imperial court was a den of snakes, and many people watched with schadenfreude and anticipation, ready to feast on them after their downfall.

The tension was palpable, so intense it was suffocating.

Just as these rumors reached their peak, a messenger rushed into the court and bowed deeply before the emperor.

He presented a scroll, the royal seal gleaming ominously.

The emperor unfurled the scroll, his brow furrowing.

He glanced at Yan Ruyu, his expression unreadable.

“Lady Marquis,” he said, his voice echoing in the silent hall, “General Zhao requests your presence at the border. He says… the situation is urgent.” Yan Ruyu raised an eyebrow, a confident smile curving her lips.

She gave General Zhao a meaningful look, and he immediately understood.

He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that although Prime Minister Wei has been brought to justice, his cronies still need to be thoroughly investigated. We must not tolerate evil! I am willing to share Your Majesty’s burden and thoroughly investigate this matter!” As soon as General Zhao said this, the court fell silent.

Those henchmen who were originally itching to make a move instantly turned pale, and they all shrank back, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

They originally thought they could take advantage of the chaos to fish in troubled waters, but they did not expect that Yan Ruyu was well prepared and brought out the great god Zhao.

"Good! General Zhao is indeed loyal!" The emperor was overjoyed and gave General Zhao an appreciative look. He then turned his gaze to Yan Ruyu, and everyone in the court focused their attention on Yan Ruyu again. She was so young, yet she was able to deal with the crisis so calmly and composedly. Her wisdom and courage were truly admirable.

Meanwhile, at the Xu family mansion, the male protagonist was writing a letter at his desk, a hint of worry in his eyes.

He was extremely anxious when he learned that Yan Ruyu was in trouble again.

Although his family restricted him from directly interfering in court affairs, he still decided to secretly write a letter to Yan Ruyu to show his concern and support.

His writing flowed like dragons and snakes, and his words were filled with longing and concern for Yan Ruyu.

Upon returning to her residence, Yan Ruyu received a letter delivered by someone sent by the male protagonist, Xu.

She opened the envelope and carefully read every word, a sweet smile unconsciously spreading across her lips.

In the letter, Xu expressed his care and support for her and encouraged her to bravely face the challenges.

After reading the letter, Yan Ruyu was filled with emotion and relief, as if a warm current flowed through her whole body.

She pressed the letter tightly to her chest, closed her eyes, and the image of Xu Nanzhu appeared in her mind, her heart filled with longing.

In the stillness of the night, Yan Ruyu stood by the window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, her thoughts swirling.

She knew that the struggle was far from over, and that the road ahead was long, full of challenges and unknowns.

But she was not afraid, because she knew she was not fighting alone; she had Xu the male lead and those who supported her.

Suddenly, a dark figure flashed by, and Yan Ruyu's eyes sharpened: "Who?!"

The palace where Consort Li was confined was filled with the heavy smell of cosmetics, but it could not conceal the sinister atmosphere in the air.

Her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, gripped a silk handkerchief tightly, almost to the point of crushing it.

The resentment in her eyes was almost tangible, flicking like a venomous snake: "Go! Give that new favorite a good 'service'! Let her know that the harem is not a place where just anyone can run wild!" She said through gritted teeth, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth.

When Yan Ruyu returned to her residence, the once peaceful and serene courtyard was now in a mess.

Flowerpots were smashed, soil was scattered all over the ground, precious calligraphy and paintings were torn to shreds, and even her favorite tea set was smashed to pieces.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger, but her eyes were as cold as ice: "Who did this?!" A tense atmosphere filled the air. Several palace maids trembled with fear, kneeling on the ground, not daring to raise their heads, like a flock of frightened quails.

“Replying to the Lady Marquis…this servant…this servant doesn’t know either…” a slightly bolder palace maid answered tremblingly, her voice barely audible.

"Don't know? Ha," Yan Ruyu sneered, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "I'd like to see who dares to be so bold!"

Xiao Shunzi rushed over and whispered a few words in Yan Ruyu's ear, causing Yan Ruyu's face to darken even more instantly.

"Consort Li?!" Her tone was icy, tinged with sarcasm. "She really hasn't given up on her wicked intentions!"

Yan Ruyu went straight to the imperial study and reported to the emperor what Consort Li had done.

Her tone was firm, her words resounding, without the slightest fear.

Upon hearing this, the emperor flew into a rage and immediately ordered that Consort Li be banished to the Cold Palace.

When Consort Li was dragged away, her eyes were empty and her face was ashen. Her former arrogance and domineering attitude had vanished, replaced by endless despair.

Seeing this scene, the people in the harem couldn't help but feel a sense of awe towards Yan Ruyu.

However, the story does not end there.

Yan Ruyu's powerful rise in the palace has threatened the interests of some conservative forces.

Several elderly officials in their robes gathered together, their faces grim.

"This Yan Ruyu is far too arrogant! A woman like her interfering in court affairs like this is simply lawless!"

"Yes, we have to find a way to stop her!"

Yan Ruyu vaguely sensed a dangerous aura, and a sense of worry rose in her heart.

The atmosphere in the palace became eerie once again, as if an invisible net was slowly tightening...

As night fell, a dark figure quietly sneaked into Yan Ruyu's study, rummaging around for something.

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out in the darkness: "What are you looking for?"